Mr. Adams's Last Crusade: The Extraordinary Post-presidential Life of John Quincy AdamsFollowing his single term as President of the United States (1825–1829), John Quincy Adams, embittered by his loss to Andrew Jackson, boycotted his successor's inauguration, just as his father John Adams had done (the only two presidents ever to do so). Rather than retire, the sixty-two-year-old former president, U.S. senator, secretary of state, and Harvard professor was elected by his Massachusetts friends and neighbors to the House of Representatives to throw off the "incubus of Jacksonianism." It was the opening chapter in what was arguably the most remarkable post-presidency in American history. In this engaging biography, historian Joseph Wheelan describes Adams's battles against the House Gag Rule that banished abolition petitions; the removal of Eastern Indian tribes; and the annexation of slave-holding Texas, while recounting his efforts to establish the Smithsonian Institution. As a "man of the whole country," Adams was not bound by political party, yet was reelected to the House eight times before collapsing at his "post of duty" on February 21, 1848, and then dying in the House Speaker's office. His funeral evoked the greatest public outpouring since Benjamin Franklin's death. Mr. Adams's Last Crusade will enlighten and delight anyone interested in American history. |
Contents
ONE Favored Son of the Revolution | 1 |
TWO The Road to the Presidency | 27 |
THREE An Agony of Mind | 37 |
FOUR The Freshman Congressman | 67 |
SEVEN Lightning Rod of Congress | 129 |
EIGHT True and Honest Hearts Love You | 145 |
NINE The Amistad | 163 |
ELEVEN Triumph | 205 |
Other editions - View all
Mr. Adams's Last Crusade: John Quincy Adams's Extraordinary Post ... Joseph Wheelan Limited preview - 2009 |
Mr. Adams's Last Crusade: John Quincy Adams's Extraordinary Post ... Joseph Wheelan Limited preview - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
28th Congress Abigail abolition abolitionist Adams Papers Adams wrote Adams’s administration Africans American Amistad Andrew Jackson Angelina Grimké began believed Bemis bequest Boston British Calhoun Capitol censure Charles Francis colleagues committee Congress Congressional Globe Constitution Cuba death debate December declared defend Democrats diary diplomat District of Columbia election emancipation England father Federalists friends Gag Rule George Giddings Grimké Hecht History Ibid Indian James John Adams John Quincy Adams Joshua Giddings later letter Liberty with Power Louisa Martin Van Buren Memoirs ment Mexico minister Monroe Nagel never observatory observed party political Polk president proposed Remini resolution Richards right of petition right to petition Secretary Senate session Seward Shepherd slaveholders slavery slaves Smithson Smithsonian South Carolina Southern Spanish Speaker speech Supreme Court tariff Thomas Jefferson tion treaty Tyler Union United Virginia votes Washington Weld Whig White House William writing wrote Adams York